River stood at the edge of the reception, the low hum of music and laughter swirling around him, but his attention was fixated on the sight before him—Riley, his new bride, twirling Lucas in her arms. His six-year-old son’s face was lit up with pure joy, giggling as Riley danced with him, her smile as radiant as ever.His chest tightened at the sight. It was a strange feeling, one he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in so long—happiness mixed with a deep ache he couldn’t quite name.The way Riley fit so easily into this life, into his son’s world, was both comforting and terrifying. He wasn’t used to letting people in, not since Ellie.Before he could lose himself in the thought, River felt a heavy hand land on his shoulder. He didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.“Alexander,” River greeted, his voice a low rumble, eyes still fixed on Riley and Lucas.Alexander stood beside him, his gaze following River’s to the dance floor. For a long moment, neither of them spoke, the only s
They stared at each other for a moment. "You don't?" she asked quietly."No," River said, shrugging off his jacket and laying it on the couch near the bed."So, are we going to...um..." she stammered.She groaned inwardly. Why did she feel so tongue-tied in front of him? He was her husband now, for Christ's sake!"What are you trying to ask, Riley? Just spit it out," River asked, loosening his tie."It's our wedding night," she said softly, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress."Yes, it is," he said as he threw the tie at the chair."So I wanted to know if you are planning to...if we are going to...um...""Make love?" he asked. The corner of his mouth twitched up.Riley's cheeks flushed as River's words hung in the air. She felt a nervous flutter in her stomach, the tension between them growing."Yes," she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. "That.""Hmm...what do you think we should do, Riley?" he asked, his blue eyes twinkling.His question caught her off gua
River’s lips were warm and lingering against hers as he pulled back slightly, his eyes full of mischief and affection. He traced a gentle finger down her cheek, his touch both tender and possessive.“You still with me, Riley?” he asked teasingly, a playful glint in his eyes.Riley nodded, her breath still coming in soft, uneven gasps. “Yes. I’m here.”River smiled. “Good.”He shifted his position, positioning himself above her with a protective yet possessive air.He gave her a heated look, then positioned himself between her legs. With a deliberate and loving touch, he entered her, his movements slow and measured.Riley gasped at the sensation, her body arching to meet him. The fullness of him inside her was overwhelming yet deeply satisfying. She clung to him, her nails digging into his shoulders as she tried to catch her breath.River’s rhythm was steady and deliberate, his every thrust designed to draw out her pleasure. He watched her with hunger, his expression changing with each
“Aunty Val, when will Daddy and Riley come back?” Lucas asked and looked at Valerie innocently. Valerie looked down and smiled. “Soon.” “Why did they leave?” he asked. “Well, they just got married and newlywed couples are supposed to go on honeymoons,” Valerie said. Lucas looked deep in thought for a moment. “So…” he paused. Valerie looked at him questioningly. “What is it, Bud?” “If daddy married Riley, does that mean she is my new mommy?” Lucas asked.Valerie’s heart skipped a beat at Lucas’s innocent question. She crouched down to be at his eye level, her smile soft but thoughtful.“Well, Lucas,” she began, choosing her words carefully, “Riley loves your dad very much, and they just got married, which makes her a big part of your family now.”Lucas tilted his head, still trying to understand. “But does that mean she’s my new mommy?”Valerie reached out and gently ruffled his hair. “Riley cares about you a lot, Lucas. She wants to be there for you, just like your dad. But no one ca
Valerie couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore. “I came to get my sketchbook, but I think I just discovered your little secret hobby,” she teased, walking closer to him.Antonio cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “It’s not what it looks like…”Valerie raised an eyebrow, still grinning. “Really? Because it looks like you’re knitting a scarf.”Her eyes suddenly turned wide. “Hold on…does this mean what I think it means?” she gasped.“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Bella,” he said.“All those times you gave me stuff as presents. Sweater for me, socks for Landon. Did you knit them yourself? You told me Nona made those!” she asked, laughing again.Antonio sighed, clearly caught but smiling sheepishly. “Alright, you got me,” he admitted, his voice warm with affection. “Yes, I knitted them. Nona did teach me when I was younger, but I didn’t think you’d find out this way.”Valerie shook her head, her laughter subsiding, but the amusement still shining in her
Riley’s hands trembled as she fumbled with her seatbelt, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum that refused to slow.She hated flying—the closed-in space, the unnatural sensation of leaving the ground, the helplessness of it all. The moment the plane’s engines roared to life, a wave of anxiety crashed over her, threatening to pull her under. Her breathing quickened, shallow and erratic.River, sitting beside her, seemed oblivious at first, his expression unreadable as he stared straight ahead. He had that same detached look he always wore around her, like he couldn’t decide whether to keep his distance or be close.But then, without a word, she felt his hand on hers.It wasn’t much—just a simple touch, but the warmth of his skin against hers sent a shock through her, grounding her in a way she hadn’t expected. Riley glanced at him, startled. His face was still impassive, his eyes fixed forward, but his hand remained, firm and steady, wrapping around hers.“River…” she began.He
As they stepped out of the airport, the warm Italian sun caressed Riley’s skin. River’s hand rested on the small of her back as he guided her towards a sleek black car waiting at the curb.“Mr. Foster,” the driver greeted with a nod, opening the door for them.Riley slid into the luxurious leather seat, marveling at the spacious interior. River settled beside her, his presence both comforting and electrifying.Riley couldn’t help but gaze out the window in awe. Ancient ruins stood proudly amidst modern buildings, a testament to the city’s rich history. The vibrant colors of the buildings, the lively chatter of people in the streets, and the mouthwatering scents wafting from quaint cafes all combined to create an enchanting atmosphere.“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, turning to River with a radiant smile.He met her gaze, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Never been, huh?”Riley felt a blush creep up her cheeks. She shook her head. “No. I’ve been to other countries in Europe, just not
The sun warmed River’s back as he walked through the narrow streets of Rome, Riley’s hand tucked safely in his. Her energy was infectious—her eyes wide as she absorbed everything around her, as if she had never seen a city before.He never met someone like her before. So full of…light.That’s what she was, and River realized that now. She was the light he didn’t think he needed in his life.She stopped every now and then, pointing out something he had already seen but pretended to be surprised for her. He couldn’t help but feel a warmth radiating in his chest when he looked at her cheerful face.It struck him how easily she found joy in the simplest moments, like the way she pointed at the architecture or shared stories about the gladiators.“Can you believe they used to fight lions in there?” she exclaimed, glancing back at him, her excitement infectious.River couldn’t help but smile a little at her enthusiasm. “Why are you so excited? Did you want to fight lions too?”“I think I’ll